Pentagon mounts media offensive

[babylonsister]

Pentagon mounts media offensive

US officials believe bad news from Iraq gets undue coverage

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6100906.stm

The Pentagon has set up a new unit to focus on promoting its message across 24-hour rolling news outlets, and particularly on the internet.

The US Defence Department said it would expand its public relations work to fight "inaccurate" news stories.

Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said media manipulation by enemies of the US is the only thing keeping him awake at night.

Domestic support for the war in Iraq has fallen as US mid-term polls near.

The opposition Democrats are trying to win control of Congress from the Republicans.

'Correcting messages'

The newly-established Pentagon unit would use "new media" channels to push its message, a spokesman said.

"We're looking at being quicker to respond to breaking news," the spokesman said.

"Being quicker to respond, frankly, to inaccurate statements."

According to the BBC's Justin Webb in Washington, the Bush administration does not believe the true picture of events in Iraq has been made public.

He says the administration is particularly concerned that insurgents in areas such as Iraq have been able to use the web to disseminate their message and give the impression they are more powerful than the US.

A Pentagon memo seen by the Associated Press news agency said the new unit will "develop messages" for the 24-hour news cycle and aim to "correct the record".

A spokesman said the unit would monitor media such as weblogs and would also employ "surrogates", or top politicians or lobbyists who could be interviewed on TV and radio shows.

[Fridays Child]

1. Why does the Pentagon have a propaganda unit?

Think, America, THINK!

[babylonsister]

5. Why are they allowed one? Hopefully, the kibosh gets put on this

soon. Seems like they're trying to squeeze a few issues by while they have unregulated power.

[bigbrother05]

2. Good, then Rummy can tell us all about the Ammo Dump

the 490,000 lost weapons, the billions of tax payer dollars, I can't wait.

[jannyk]

3. This is one of the most disgusting quotes yet....

3,000 US and tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis dead, and this piece of shit lays awake at night worrying about how he looks in the media?

"Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said media manipulation by enemies of the US is the only thing keeping him awake at night."

Give me a fucking break
:grr:

[jimshoes]

4. Nobody believes you any more Don

See, there is this thing called the INTERNET(s). Ted Stevens can fill you in on the details, where information flows freely without spin doctoring and sans filtering and there are even picture available. Movies even. No one needs a special propoganda catapult channel Don, save your money. Buy some credibility. Ever thought about retirement?
ed:sp